Monthly Archives: September 2010

Building on the apropos Summer State of Mind recipe featured yesterday, I wanted to share a recipe that fittingly shares the same foundation for a crisp and refreshing summer drink. Fredo Ceraso of the blog Loungerati shares with us what he coins as “your last drink of summer” – The Kentucky Buck.

The Kentucky Buck is the brainchild of Pernod Ricard brand ambassador and San Franciscan barman Erick Castro. I love that this drink builds on many of the components of the SSOM cocktail: there’s the base spirit, ripe seasonal fruit, acidity, and refreshing fizz. But Castro’s recipe calls for neither rum nor soda, but rather it provides a seamless transition to fall with both bourbon and ginger beer taking center stage.

The Kentucky Buck (By Erick Castro)

2 oz Bulleit Bourbon

3/4 oz Fresh Lemon Juice

3/4 oz Simple Syrup

1 medium-sized ripe Strawberry

2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Ginger Beer

Place juice and strawberry into tin and muddle thoroughly. Add remaining ingredients into tin along with ice and shake vigorously. Strain over ice into a Collins glass and top with ginger beer. Garnish with finely-sliced strawberry and lemon wheel.

While I have yet to try this drink for myself at home (it’s been a crazy couple of days in SJ’s world), I do expect to give this cocktail a try before the holiday weekend rolls in. And I do anticipate it being a winner among my friends. Better yet, if you plan to be in the San Francisco area in the near future, you can grab this drink at Castro’s work establishment, Rickhouse: 246 Kearny Street, San Francisco, CA 94108.